Are there fees or permits required for War Dance Falls?

No, there are no fees required to visit War Dance Falls.

Is swimming allowed at War Dance Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at War Dance Falls.

Nearby gauge (Grand Lake Outlet) · -11 ft³/s · About average

War Dance Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at War Dance Falls?

No, dogs are not allowed at War Dance Falls. Pets aren't allowed on any trail, tundra or meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park; leashed pets may stay on roads, parking areas, campgrounds and picnic areas.

Colorado • Rocky Mountain National Park

By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Rocky Mountain National Park NP · National Park Service

Photo Credits (5)

AlphaTangoBravo / Adam Baker CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Ken Lund CC BY-SA 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Hard

Trail Type

Out And Back

About War Dance Falls

War Dance Falls is in the backcountry on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, on the slope just north of the North Inlet valley east of Grand Lake. It lies near the North Inlet Trail about 7 trail miles from the North Inlet Trailhead, close to the Porcupine wilderness campsite, but no maintained trail is mapped to the falls itself.

The Setting

War Dance Falls sits at 9,895 feet within Rocky Mountain National Park, in the high alpine of Colorado.

Trail & Hike Details

Trail Description

Follow the North Inlet Trail east from the North Inlet Trailhead (8,540 feet) up the North Inlet valley. The park lists the Porcupine campsite at 6.8 miles and the North Inlet Junction campsite at 7.5 miles; GNIS places War Dance Falls a short distance north of the trail in this stretch, at about 9,900 feet. Reaching it means leaving the trail, so carry a topographic map and plan a long day or an overnight trip.

What to Expect

A long valley hike with no facilities beyond the trailhead. Overnight stays require a park wilderness camping permit.

Accessibility

The trail involves steep, uneven terrain with significant elevation change and is not accessible to mobility devices.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at War Dance Falls?

❌ Dogs are not allowed
Pets aren't allowed on any trail, tundra or meadow in Rocky Mountain National Park; leashed pets may stay on roads, parking areas, campgrounds and picnic areas.

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🆖 No fees required

🏊 Is There Swimming at War Dance Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

The best time to visit War Dance Falls is in late spring or early summer when the waterfall is at its fullest due to snowmelt.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Access roads and trails may close during winter due to snow. Check with Rocky Mountain National Park for current conditions.

Safety Information

Be cautious of slippery rocks near the waterfall. Check weather conditions before your hike, as rain or snow can make the trail hazardous. Carry bear spray and be aware of wildlife.

Current Water Conditions

Updated about 3 hours ago Barely Flowing

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Grand Lake Outlet, 6 miles away, not on War Dance Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

-11 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

Based on 5 years of record

8.54 ft

Water depth at gauge

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year.

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

GRAND LAKE OUTLET BLW CHIPMUNK LN AT GRAND LK, CO

USGS 09014050

6 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 76 sq mi

Altitude: 8,365 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge GRAND LAKE OUTLET BLW CHIPMUNK LN AT GRAND LK, CO (10 km away).

High confidence

Strong right now

40 cfs

↑ Rising

Today

Strong

40 cfs

10/10

Tomorrow

Strong

110 cfs

10/10

Thu

Strong

92 cfs

10/10

Fri

Strong

34 cfs

10/10

Sat

Strong

36 cfs

8/10

Sun

Strong

38 cfs

10/10

Mon

Strong

37 cfs

10/10

Best window: Today — strong flow, partly sunny (trip score 10/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from early June to mid June, peaking in June.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Grand Lake hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Is War Dance Falls Frozen?

Updated about 8 hours ago

Not frozen highs above freezing lately

War Dance Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 46°F to 25°F.

Days below freezing: 0 of the last 14
Current cold streak: 0 days
Freezing days ahead: 0 of the next 7
Flow: 6 ft³/s

Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.

Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in Colorado.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

The ground through the falls loses about 322 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 9,908 feet above sea level.

Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 255 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 226 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing west, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.

Aerial photo of the same ground around War Dance Falls near Grand Lake, Colorado, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around War Dance Falls near Grand Lake, Colorado, showing about 322 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing west

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 9,908 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 322 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: West; Glows in afternoon and evening light.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading west).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

From the Kawuneeche Visitor Center, follow US 34 south about 1.7 miles to West Portal Road. Turn left, go 0.7 mile to a stop sign, continue about 0.2 mile, then turn left on the gravel road marked North Inlet Trailhead and follow it past the water filtration plant to the trailhead parking.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

Park at the North Inlet Trailhead lot near Grand Lake.

Elevation

9,895 feet above sea level

Coordinates

40.288318° N, -105.729452° W

Land Management

Rocky Mountain National Park NP

Managed by NPS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Start early in the day to avoid crowds and ensure you have enough time to complete the hike. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring plenty of water, especially during warmer months. Check trail conditions before heading out, as snow or mud may make the trail more difficult.

This trail sits at 9,895 ft — the air is noticeably thinner

High Altitude

Some visitors experience headaches, fatigue, or shortness of breath at this elevation. Take it slow, stay hydrated, and consider supplemental oxygen if you're coming from a lower altitude.

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Coppertone Sport SPF 50 Sunscreen

UV intensity jumps ~4% per 1,000 ft — at this elevation you can burn in half the time.

Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm (3-Pack)

Lips have almost no natural UV protection and burn fast in thin, dry mountain air.

Liquid I.V. Electrolyte Packets

You lose moisture ~2x faster at elevation — electrolytes help you absorb water efficiently.

ROCKNIGHT Polarized UV400 Sunglasses

High-altitude glare off rock and water is intense — UV400 lenses block 99%+ of UVA/UVB.

Boost Oxygen 10L Canister (2-Pack)

Portable supplemental oxygen for quick relief from headaches and shortness of breath.

Altitude Rx OxyBoost Complex

Antioxidant formula designed to support your body's natural altitude acclimation.

Where to Stay

Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby

Glamping Hipcamp

Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses

RV Rentals Outdoorsy

Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip

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Nearby Campground

CUTTHROAT BAY GROUP

10.1 miles away · 2 sites

Reservable

Overview Cutthroat Bay Group Campground is located on Lake Granby, six miles southeast of Grand Lake in north central Colorado. Visitors enjoy the area for its great boating, fishing and hiking opportunities.Recreation Lake Granby is part of the Arapaho National Recreation Area. It offers boating, sailing, swimming and fishing. Anglers cast for kokanee salmon and rainbow, brown, mackinaw and cutthroat trout. A boat ramp and dock are located nearby. National Fishing Week is held annually the first

Book on Recreation.gov